Portable multifunction accessory for hookah

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an integrated multifunctional free standing accessory for a hookah that enhances the aesthetic experience and enables the safe operation thereof. The accessory incorporates at least one electric heating element mounted on a telescopic arm protruding from a stable free-standing base unit. The telescopic arm enables the height adjustment of the heating element to accommodate various heights of hookahs. The electric heating element is enclosed in a protective hood with a thermometer mounted on said hood to monitor the temperature of the heating element for the purpose of adjusting said temperature. The base unit also includes a blower unit for the purpose of cleaning the hookah hose; a position sensitive switch to turn the unit off if it is tipped over; a timer to alert the user that the tobacco is exhausted; and a waiter call unit for the purpose of requesting service in a restaurant or hookah bar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of hookahs and more specifically to the safe and unencumbered operation and enjoyment of the hookah wherein an electric heating element along with a blower and other safety and service devices are integrated into a multifunctional free standing accessory to the hookah.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The hookah has been used for generations as a means of inhaling tobacco and its use is lately becoming more popular. Hookah bars and restaurants are increasingly common and the use of hookahs especially among younger people is growing. Competition for hookah smokers is growing and restaurants and hookah bars are looking for ways to enhance the customers' aesthetic experience and attract new customers.

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a traditional hookah. The traditional hookah 100 consists of a water filed bottle 101 through which a hollow tube is placed vertically 102. The vertical tube is terminated in a ceramic bowl 105 at the opposite end of the water bottle. The tobacco preparation is placed on a shelf 108 which spans the opening in the ceramic bowl. The shelf supports the burning tobacco and allows the smoke to enter the vertical hollow tube or duct from the bottom. The top of the water bottle is sealed with an air tight grommet 106 which has passageways for the vertical tube and a spout 105 with an opening to the air space above the water. A flexible detachable hose 104 is inserted into the spout and it is through this hose that the smoker of the hookah inhales the tobacco smoke. The water bottle is partially filled with water to immerse the vertical tube to within a few centimeters while maintaining an air space above the water. Lighted charcoal 106 is placed on a perforated tin foil 107 which covers the ceramic bowl. The charcoal heats the tobacco in the bowl to the point of combustion. When one inhales through the mouthpiece of the hose a decrease in air pressure is created in the space above the water in the water bottle. This decreased air pressure causes air to enter the bottle through the hollow vertical tube or duct. As the air rushes through the tube it draws in the smoke from the tobacco. The smoke bubbles through the water and into the space above the water and then through the hose to the one inhaling. In the process of drawing the tobacco smoke there is also drawn in products of the charcoal combustion. The water cools the smoke and absorbs some of the gases and particulate matter resulting from the burning of the charcoal and the tobacco.

The traditional hookah suffers from many disadvantages which limit or interfere with the pleasurable experience of the smoker. The products of the charcoal combustion tend to irritate the throat and reduce the pleasurable experience of the smoker. The charcoal is often difficult to light and at times it emits sparks which may burn cloths or carpeting. The charcoal requires constant attention to maintain its heat output. The hose becomes coated with smoke residue and ashes which affects the flavor of the smoke.

The elongated and curvaceous shape of the traditional hookah is a large part of the traditional hookah's aesthetic appeal. However the elongated shape also results in a high center of gravity making the traditional hookah susceptible to tilting over and spilling out the hot charcoal on carpets and cloths.

Hookah bars and restaurants have emerged which are anxious to serve the growing appetite for the hookah aesthetic. These establishments are constantly looking for means to improve customer service. One such means is by the use of a call for service button whereby the customer can call for a waiter or server by pressing the button at his table. U.S. Pat. No. 7,369,039 issued to Knutson is an invention which is used for this purpose. However it is an additional accessory which must be separately installed and wired to the restaurant table.

There have been attempts to remedy some of the disadvantages of the traditional hookah and to improve the experience of the smoker but these attempts have also introduced problems of their own. The disadvantages associated with the burning charcoal have been addressed by the use of an electric heating device which either replaces the charcoal as the means by which the tobacco is heated or is used to start the charcoal without a flame. The latter use only provides for an alternate means of starting the charcoal but it does not remove the disadvantages with burning charcoal. One such device is described by Liu in US Pub 2006/0086365. This device consists of a perforated shroud enclosing an electric heating element whose temperature is controlled by a control unit connected to the heating element. The device also has an insulated handle which extends from the shroud and enables the device to be placed on the hookah or removed from the hookah. In operation the device rests upon the hookah bowl and as such it affects the stability of the hookah. As seen from FIG. 1 the traditional hookah's elongated cylindrical shape results in a high center of gravity. The addition of water in the bowl adds to its stability by moving the center of gravity to a point closer to the base through the addition of the weight of water. However the device described by Liu adds weight to the top of the hookah thereby moving the center of gravity higher and reducing its stability increasing the likelihood of the hookah falling over and possibly causing damage.

Liu in U.S. Pat. No. 7,565,908 has invented an entirely different apparatus for water-pipe smoking using electric heat to ignite the tobacco or smoking material. Liu's invention incorporates all the functions of the traditional hookah into an apparatus which does not resemble the traditional hookah's elegant elongated curvaceous shape. It is the shape of the hookah that aficionados and devotees find appealing and which is part of the total aesthetic experience of the hookah. While Liu's invention uses an electric heating element in a self contained apparatus it lacks the aesthetic qualities of the traditional hookah.

In US Pub 2007/0261194 Tannous describes a device for providing a blow force for the cleaning of the hookah hose. This device also provides a suction port to enable an easier start of the flow of smoke through the hookah by creating a vacuum in the spate above the water in the water filled bottle. This device comprises an additional dual function accessory and it adds to the complexity of operating a hookah through yet another accessory.

Therefore, based on the foregoing there is a need to overcome these and other disadvantages and inconveniences in utilizing the hookah while at the same time preserving the timeless aesthetics of the traditional hookah.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the foregoing it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable multi function accessory for one or two hookahs. Said accessory primarily intended for hookah bars or restaurants but not limited to such use.

It is also an object to provided an integrated and stable unit which automatically shuts down when tilted over.

It is a third object to provide for the integrated electrical heating of the tobacco or the electrical starting of the charcoal of a traditional hookah.

A fourth object is to provide for the integrated ability to clean the hookah hose before or after each use through an air blowing system.

A sixth object is to provides the ability to control precisely the temperature of the tobacco to maximizes the tobacco smoke and minimizes any undesirable byproducts.

A seventh object is to accommodate hookahs of varying heights by employing a telescopic mounting for the heating element

An eighth object is to provide a tilt-over switch which removes power from the entire unit in the event that it is knocked over and a built in fuse to protect against any internal electrical faults.

A ninth object of the present invention is to integrate a call button to be used to call for service in a hookah bar or restaurant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a traditional hookah.

FIG. 2 is a three dimensional rendering of the invention for commercial use wherein it can be employed as an accessory to accommodate two hookahs.

FIG. 3 is a three dimensional rendering of the invention as it is intended to be used with a single traditional hookah.

FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic of the portable multifunction accessory for a hookah

With reference to FIG. 2 the preferred embodiment of the hookah multifunction accessory comprises an integrated multifunctional and stable base unit 200 with either one or two telescopic supports 202 for the heating hood 201 which encloses an electric heating element 203

The temperature of said electric heating element is monitored by the thermometer mounted on the hood 216. The temperature is controlled by a rheostat 204 which provides for manual control of the electrical current through the heating element depending on the temperature desired by the user of the hookah accessory. There is one rheostat control for each of the heating elements to allow for independent control of each of the heating elements.

The hood further comprises an electrical connection for the flexible and retractable power cord 205 to provide power to the heating element. Said power cord can be removed from the electrical connection to replace the heating element if necessary. The retractable power cord also enables the heading element/hood assembly to be raised or lowered or pivoted about its telescopic support 202.

The base unit 200 further comprises an enclosed blower system with an exhaust opening on one side of the base unit 207. The exhaust opening is conical in shape and sized to accommodate the hookah hose and enable the cleaning of the hose by forced air. The blower intake is an opening located on the back of the base unit and it is not shown in the figure. A single exhaust opening is shown since the blower is employed only occasionally to clean the hookah hose.

The blower is controlled by an on/off switch 216 located on the front face of the base unit along with an indicator lamp 215 to indicate the state of the blower from a distance.

Also included with the base unit is a removable electronic timer 213 with an indicator lamp 212 and/or audible alarm which alerts the user that the tobacco is about to exhaust. In commercial establishments the timer is used to announce the end of the smoking session. Where the dual heating unit is employed the timer will have separate settings for each of the heating elements.

A standard electrical outlet 214 is provided to enable the daisy chaining of the accessories or to enable the connection of other electrical equipment such as lap top computers and cell phone battery chargers.

A tilt activated level switch 208 is located within the base unit and connected directly to the input power. In the event the unit is knocked over the tilt activated level switch will remove all power to the unit.

Power to the unit is controlled by on/off switch 209 with an indicator light 210 and fuse 211. Although the preferred embodiment is disclosed as operating on standard 110 VAC power this does not preclude the use of other power sources such as car batteries, solar panels or other sources of AC or DC power with suitable accommodations made as known to one skilled in the art.

FIG. 3 illustrates the intended use of the portable multifunction accessory to a hookah. Referring to FIG. 3, a traditional hookah 100 is placed next to the base unit and the hood 201 is placed over the bowl of the hookah. Power is then applied to the base unit and the rheostat 204 is manually adjusted to achieve the starting temperature whereby the tobacco which has been placed in the hookah bowl begins to produce smoke. When the tobacco begins to burn it can maintain its own combustion and requires less heat from the heating element. Depending on the temperature the current through the heating element can be manually adjusted by the smoker to achieve a constant rate of combustion and maintain an optimal level of smoke. In an alternate embodiment the temperature of the tobacco can be controlled by a microprocessor and the temperature monitored by a digital thermometer.

Tobacco can be added to the hookah bowl by simply raising the hood via its telescopic arm and pivoting the hood away from the hookah. Once the tobacco is added to the bowl the hood can be returned to the top of the bowl and the temperature adjusted accordingly to maintain the tobacco combustion and the generation of smoke.

The hookah hose can be cleaned by placing one end of the hose over the conical exhaust port of the invention and operating the blower switch. The blower forces air through the hose and clears the hose of any particulate matter or smoke residue that may have accumulated and which affects the flavor of the smoke.

The removable timer is used to alert the waiter or server and the smoker of the exhaustion of the tobacco. Tobacco burns at a known rate and a given quantity will exhaust itself in a fixed time. By knowing the quantity of tobacco that is used at any given smoking session one can determine the length of the session and set the alarm timer accordingly. In a commercial establishment such as a hookah bar or restaurant the timer is used to alert the waiter or server that a particular customer session has ended and that the tobacco is exhausted. Although in the preferred embodiment the alarm is an audible alarm other types of alarms can be used including a remote alarm as is known to anyone skilled in the art.

In combination with the removable timer a manually activated button FIG. 2 206 is also provided to enable the customer to bypass the timer and alert the waiter or server of his need for service.

With reference to FIG. 4 301 is the main fuse which guards against electrical faults. The fuse is connected in series with the on/off switch 302, the indicator lamp 303 and the normally closed tilt switch 304. When switch 302 is closed power is applied to all the components through the normally closed tilt level switch 304. Current flows through the current limiting resistor 313 lighting the indicator lamp.

Operating switch 308 applies power to the series rheostat 309 which controls the current flowing through heating element 310 thereby controlling the temperature applied to the tobacco.

Operating switch 305 will cause the air blower motor 306 to operate as will as turn on the indicator lamp 307.

Push button 311 is used to control the waiter or server annunciating device which can consist of a buzzer, lamp or wireless remote device 312.

Power is also applied to an electrical outlet 313 for connecting other electrical equipment to the circuit including lap top computers or cell phone chargers.

It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the above embodiments may be altered in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. An apparatus that is an accessory to commercially available hookahs and which improve the safety and the sensory experience of the hookah comprising: a free standing and stable base unit a telescopic protrusion from said base unit a perforated hood mounted on said telescopic protrusion a heating element mounted within said perforated hood a detachable and detachable power cord connected to said perforated hood a thermometer mounted on said perforated hood a rheostat mounted to said base unit to enable the control of said heating element. a removable timer mounted to said base unit to provide an alert upon the exhaustion of the tobacco an electric air blower mounted in said base unit to enable the cleaning of the hookah pipe a level sensing safety switch to turn off said base unit in the event said base unit is knocked over an electrical outlet mounted to said base unit a remote control unit mounted to said base unit an on indicator light mounted to said base unit
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for heating the tobacco placed in the bowl of a traditional hookah to the point of combustion.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for cleaning the hookah hose.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for controlling the heat applied to the tobacco.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for annunciating the end of a smoking session.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for calling a waiter or server for service.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for accommodating traditional hookahs of varying height.
 8. An apparatus that is an accessory to commercially available hookahs and which improve the safety and the sensory experience of the hookah comprising: a free standing and stable base unit a telescopic protrusion from said base unit a perforated hood mounted on said telescopic protrusion a heating element mounted within said perforated hood a detachable and detachable power cord connected to said perforated hood a digital thermometer mounted on said perforated hood a microprocessor controller to enable the control of said heating element. a removable timer mounted to said base unit to provide an alert upon the exhaustion of the tobacco an electric air blower mounted in said base unit to enable the cleaning of the hookah pipe a level sensing safety switch to turn off said base unit in the event said base unit is knocked over an electrical outlet mounted to said base unit a remote control unit mounted to said base unit an on indicator light mounted to said base unit
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 comprising means for heating the tobacco placed in the bowl of a traditional hookah to the point of combustion.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 comprising means for cleaning the hookah hose.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8 comprising means for controlling the heat applied to the tobacco.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8 comprising means for annunciating the end of a smoking session.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8 comprising means for calling a waiter or server for service.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8 comprising means for accommodating traditional hookahs of varying height. 